Boston, MA, 02/20/2014 – Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) presented a strong performance in its first quarter as it beats the market estimate in EPS by $0.01 to report it at $0.23. Moreover, the company posted revenues too above the estimate at $2.19 billion. At the same time, its second quarter revenue growth rate estimates at 3-10% also fall in line with what the market had expected. In numbers, FQ2 numbers are forecasted as revenues in between $2.26B-$2.41 billion and EPS in the range of $0.25-$0.29. Recently, the company has announced its merger plans with Tokyo Electron, which is pending for regulatory approvals. Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT)’s CEO Gary Dickerson mentioned that they are expecting to get approval for it in mid of the year or by the end.

Barrick Gold Corporation (USA) (NYSE:ABX) has to do a lot of catching up with its competitors as its recene earnings did show some improvement by not enough. A review of the Barrick’s effort points out to its wise decisions to restructure operations through reduced spending and curtailing operating costs by close to $2 billion. It also acted quickly to divest from its six high cost non-core mines in exchange of $1 billion. But, the management’s note that Barrick Gold Corporation (USA) (NYSE:ABX) expects production fall and escalating costs in the next year has some eyebrows raised on its efficiency to turn around. But, some analysts are confidant in its turnaround story.

Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU) is swinging into green after it recently affirmed its production guidance. The coal company is targeting production of 185-195 million tons for the current year, while it forecasts the revenue to be 5.8% lower than what it was in 2013. The company mentioned in the form 8-k that it production units in Australia and the U.S. witnessed growth at the rate of 27% and 9% y-o-y and costs fell by 4% and 3% at the two places respectively in the year 2013. Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU) said that it is well-positioned to see a potential upside as the markets improve.